Pastor's Blog

Words are not adequate for me to express what an awesome day we had in the Lord’s house yesterday.  Let me share a brief part of an email Bro. Abel sent to me last night – “Tonight was one of those nights where you just know God was honored.”  All I can say to that is Amen!  The singing by the Nowell brothers and Bro. Norman, the preaching by Pastor Ronnie Nowell, the attendance by Miss Vinnie’s family in both services, the fellowship around the table, the absolute sweet spirit that was present on our campus all were a blessing!  The look on Miss Vinnie’s face when her out of town family walked into the auditorium was absolutely priceless!  Yes, Miss Vinnie was recognized and God was honored!  To God be the glory!  (I feel for those from the Friendship family who missed it!)

Now we move to this Sunday when we will host Evangelist Dan Lanier Sunday morning and evening and then Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  Lord, send a revival!  Pray for Bro. Dan.  Pray for revival.  Our students will be going out today to distribute flyers containing the information about the services.  Friendship family, pray, attend, bring others with you.

Keep praying for those whose names are on our prayer list.  I hope to get some updates today.

Lord willing, I will be traveling back to Hartselle later this week because of my Mama’s situation and a mission trip meeting for Lisa.  My brother, Eddie, has a lot on him as decisions have to be made concerning Mama.  Prayers appreciated.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Happy belated sixty-seventh birthday to my brother, Eddie.  His birthday was yesterday, 2/14.  He and I were able to enjoy a meal together on Friday afternoon  and then were together yesterday morning.  Eddie is a blessing to me and I am thankful (most days) to have him as my brother.  (Yes, he is Mama’s favorite child and I remain her fifth favorite but I have learned to live with that fact!).   What a blessing he and his wife, Sue, have been, and are, to GRACE Ministries.  I am grateful!

One of our deacons, Eddie Albritton, hosted a youth gathering last night in the CAB.  From what I have heard a good time was had by all.  Thanks to all who helped with this fellowship.

Sandra Francisco did not get her test results on Friday as expected.  Pray for Sandra.

Annette Williams got a good report from her heart cath even though she had to be hospitalized overnight.  Pray for Annette.

Continue to pray for Marie Brooks.  Pray for Carol Lucky.  Pray for Rose Anne Baria.

I am super excited about our services today as we celebrate Jesus by having “A Valentine with Vinnie!”  Miss Vinnie Brewer is a absolute sweetheart and we are going to honor God by recognizing her today at 10:00AM, 5:00PM and then around the table at 6:00PM.

Yes, you can bring a card for Miss Vinnie.  Any card will do – Valentine’s Day, birthday (she will celebrate #96 later this month), thank you card, in appreciation, et cetera.  There will be a table in the CAB for cards.

I anticipate a good number of guests for our services and the meal.  Friendship family, let’s be extremely good hosts especially concerning the food.  Church family, please bring two sides and a dessert.  Enough for those with you plus at least two others.  The church will provide the meat (chicken) which will be cooked by Stacey & Gayla Dyess.  This couple can cook!

At the end of today, my prayer is that we will all join in saying, “to God be the glory, great things He has done!”  Amen!

It appears we are about to have a few hours of stormy weather and then all should be clear by 8:00AM.  Praise the Lord!

Pray for revival!  Next Sunday, 2/22, is going to be great!

It appears that my Mama will be moved to a convalescent home later this week.  Many discussions have taken place over the past two days.  Tough sledding.  However, Mama is one of the most content persons I have ever known.  I am thankful.

God has watched over me as I have traveled a good bit this past week and I will be doing more traveling this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Prayers appreciated!

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.

P.S. – Tonight’s 5:00PM service will not be live streamed but will available for viewing later in the week.

P.S.S – I had a bologna biscuit for breakfast yesterday morning.  Does it get any better than that!  Just saying!

Pray for Sandra Francisco as she will receive her test results today.

Bro. Johnny Tucker’s sister-in-law, Pat, passed from this life earlier this week.  The visitation and celebration of life service will take place this morning in Tibbie, Alabama.  Pray for Ernest and family during this time.

Friendship family, I pray that all hands will be on deck for our Sunday of recognizing Miss Vinnie Brewer this Sunday morning and evening.  Remember, we need our folks to bring tons of food for the Sunday evening fellowship meal.  It is going to be a great day!

Pray for revival!

I am driving to Hartselle today in order to spend some time with Mama and will drive back home tomorrow.  Mama remains very weak and may end up in a convalescent home facility.  Thank you for praying.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

Word came to me this morning that Pat Tucker passed from this life yesterday.  Pat is Bro. Johnny Tucker’s sister-in-law.  Pray for the Tucker family.

Good day in our services yesterday.  Thank you, Jesus.

Remember our big Sunday this week as we honor God by recognizing Miss Vinnie Brewer.  Friendship family, remember the fellowship meal.

Want a really good deal on a car wash?  Contact Bro. Jacob for the details.

Sandra Francisco should receive her test results tomorrow.  Pray!

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Happy eighty-seventh birthday to my Mama!  As you probably already know, she is in a rehab facility but I do hope she will have a good day.  As Mama has always said, “just another day.”  Mama is not high maintenance.  I love my Mama and hope her day will be fantastic!

Annette Williams will have a heart cath today.  Pray that all goes well.

Sandra Francisco is awaiting some follow-up results from her eye surgery.  Pray for Sandra as waiting can be difficult tooo.

Marie Brooks was discharged from the hospital.  Obviously, she is better but is still battling a bad cough.  Pray for Marie.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Friendship family, let’s be faithful to attend.  No weather related excuses this week – thank you, Jesus!

I read a very disturbing article this morning relating to a most subtle attack on children and young people through the internet.  Very serious matter.  As a matter of fact, the FBI has issued a warning.  Parents, contact me personally if you want information.  (I do not even want to give this matter any publicity by putting it in writing).  Fellow pastors/staff members, I encourage you to investigate it as well.

Lisa and I had a long night Monday and a long day yesterday but it was all good.  My sister-in-law, Sue, did well through her surgery.  She will be discharged from the hospital today.  She will have to do PT and that will be painful but she will do well.  Thank you for praying.

The time we got to spend with Mama was precious.  Mama is weak physically.  Will she be able to go back to the assisted living facility?  We will know in a few days.  Lord willing, I will spend some time with her this Friday and Saturday.  Yes, I have things to do around here but those things will always be here but I have no idea how much longer Mama, or me, will be.  Thank you for praying!

We need food and lots of it for our Sunday night fellowship meal as we honor God by recognizing Miss Vinnie Brewer.  Friendship family, I know you will step up as you always do.  Questions?  Contact Sue Wyse.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

P.S. – Someone told me that my blog entries are the same as posting on FB.  I do not see that but am going to give careful consideration as to whether or not to continue them.  Just FYI.  Join me in seeking God’s direction.

I am asking if anyone has a place in the Grand Bay area for a family to rent.  If so, please contact me personally.

Sandra Francisco had surgery on one of her eyes yesterday.  She is now awaiting the results from some tests.  Pray for Sandra.

Annette Williams is scheduled to have a heart cath tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Marie Brooks “may” have been discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Keep praying for Marie.

Lisa and I arrived in Decatur very early this morning.  I came to the hospital to pray with my sister-in-law, Sue, before she went into surgery to have her knee replaced.  As I write this, the surgery has been completed and all went well.

I will leave here and go spend most of the remainder of the night with Mama.  Driving home tonight, Lord willing.  In the pulpit tomorrow morning and evening.

Stacey & Gayla Dyess will be cooking chicken for our “A Valentine For Vinnie” fellowship meal this Sunday, 2/15.  Friendship family, please bring two sides and a dessert.  Bring enough for those with you plus two others.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

A belated happy birthday to our granddaughter, Sydney.  She turned thirteen years old yesterday.  Deidra now has two teenagers – oh my!  We love Sydney and I pray that she had a great day.  I know Deidra made sure that she did!

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance was down a bit there was a freedom to preach and an excellent spirit in the place.  Praise the Lord!

Marie Brooks “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  She is still battling pneumonia.  Keep praying for Marie!

Lord willing, I will leave at some point tonight heading to Hartselle in order to visit with my Mama.  Her eighty-seventh birthday is Wednesday, 2/11. Dad would have turned ninety on the same date.

A “Valentine with Vinnie” takes place this Sunday, 2/15.  Both services.  Fellowship meal to follow the evening service.  Going to be a great day to the glory of God.  We love Miss Vinnie! I am praying for a packed house in both services!  Join us!

Revival services with Evangelist Dan Lanier the dates of Sunday, 2/22, through Wednesday, 2/25.  Pray for revival!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus!

Happy tenth birthday to our grandson, Asher.  His Mimi has already taken him out for breakfast and his family will make sure today is a celebration.  We love Asher and I hope his special day will be totally awesome.  Happy birthday, Asher.

Keep praying for Marie Brooks.

Likewise keep praying for Dawn Mason.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit both services.  Presently sitting in the airport in Guatemala City waiting for my flight to Atlanta.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday afternoon with Jesus.

No blog entry yesterday and a late one today.  What is up with that?  Great question!  No reasonable answer.  Sorry!

Marie Brooks seemingly took a turn for the worse a couple of nights ago but it turns out that is was not heart related but rather she was diagnosed with pneumonia.  Marie is obviously a sick lady.  Join me in praying for her to have a complete recovery.  Marie is a sweetheart!

You already know that my Mama is in a rehab facility.  I spoke with her via the phone on Wednesday night.  She is physically weak.  I have conferred with our deacons and, Lord willing, I will travel to Hartselle Monday night, 2/9, and visit with her on Tuesday before returning home in order to be in our Wednesday services.  Thank you for praying for Mama.

“A Valentine For Vinnie” will be our focus on Sunday, 2/15.  I am so looking forward to this most special day!  We will have a great time in our morning and evening services and a church wide meal following the evening service.  Make plans now to join us!

Revival services the dates of Sunday, 2/22, through Wednesday, 2/25.  Evangelist Dan Lanier will be the messenger.  Pray, attend invite others and then pray some more.

I pray that you will have a great Friday afternoon with Jesus.

Happy birthday to our daughter, Hien.  It is hard to believe that she is now thirty-four years old – wow!  I pray that she will have a great day!  We love Hien!

Marie Brooks suffered a heart attack Monday night and is in the hospital.  Bro. Abel has visited her at least once and I appreciate him doing so.  Pray for Marie and her family.

Dawn Mason was moved to a regular hospital room yesterday.  The surgery was serious and we be in the hospital until probably this weekend.  Pray for Dawn & Bro. Michael.

Lisa visited my Mama in the rehab facility yesterday.  Mama is physically weak.  Continued prayers much appreciated.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.  It is forecast to be a rainy day.  I pray that our folks will be faithful.

Pray for revival.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.